Despite Google’s best efforts over the last several years, Android upgrades have never been as smooth as iOS updates. When it comes to the iPhone, all compatible iPhones worldwide get the same upgrades simultaneously.
It’s anyone’s guess on Android. Android smartphone manufacturers begin creating their own versions of the newest and greatest Android upgrades once Google publishes them for developers and its Pixel smartphones. For example, there are situations where important features don’t appear on your phone until much later because Samsung’s version of Android 15 differs from OnePlus’s.
Google has chosen to take things into its own hands in an attempt to somewhat alleviate this, implementing security, privacy, and device tracking measures across all Android devices simultaneously using a little-known infrastructure known as Google Play system upgrades.
Indeed, it is perplexing. It’s something you may never discover on your own, and it’s not just about the Google Play Store or services. Neither does it appear on the standard Software Update screen, nor does Google send out reminders about it. What exactly is it, where is it, and what makes it so crucial?
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Why are system updates for Google Play so crucial?
As I previously said, unless you’re using a Pixel, the manufacturer of your phone—not Google—is the source of any normal Android update. Large Android upgrades are often released here, such as the One UI 7 update that brought Android 15 to Samsung phones.
However, the upgrades for the Google Play System are different.
Google began separating some of the OS’s essential components in 2019 with Project Mainline. Google may improve Android’s privacy and security features with this effort without using the conventional methods. Because of this, Google has previously been able to install features like Remote Lock, Offline Lock, and Android Theft Detection on all Android phones running Android 10 and later overnight. Something like this simply isn’t doable with normal Android releases.
Even if these are minor improvements, Play System upgrades provide more. Google Play System updates are also responsible for Google Play Protect, the framework that detects and reports fraudulent applications on the Play Store, plus they offer new features to the Google Play Store and Google Wallet.
Google Play system upgrades happen every month without fail, unlike ordinary Android updates that might appear at any moment. To view what’s new every month, visit Google’s website.
You must ensure that you are receiving these. They provide significant security upgrades and bug fixes to the whole Google Play Services platform in addition to their new capabilities.
Why are there never any system upgrades for Google Play?
These updates are essential. However, it might sometimes take months before you get the newest one. This is due to the fact that Google makes no effort to advertise these upgrades. They don’t get any alerts, and when you upgrade the Android OS on a regular basis, they aren’t even loaded automatically.
Oddly, they only install themselves automatically when your smartphone is restarted. Additionally, considering the current use of cellphones, such periods may be months apart.
How to look for system updates on Google Play
I’m not sure whether Google will ultimately reverse its strategy and prioritize Play system improvements. However, installing them manually via the Settings app’s Security updates section is the only option to check for them at the moment.
I’ll use Pixels as an example to show you how to locate this page since various phones have different menus. Go to Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates if you’re using a Google Pixel smartphone. Two parts will be visible to you: Google Play system update and security update. To download and install the update, choose the latter option. When your device reboots, the update will be deployed.
Search will be your buddy on any other smartphone. In the Settings app, look for “Play system update,” which should assist get you where you need to go.